East Webster rallies for 8-4 win over Vardaman

August 13, 2012

MABEN - Lee Berryhill has already found out something about the East Webster Lady Wolverines three games deep into his tenure as softball coach.

The Lady Wolverines know how to come from behind.

East Webster rallied from a 4-3 deficit to defeat the Vardaman Lady Rams 8-4 in a lightning-shortened game Monday night.

After the Lady Rams scored three runs in the third inning to tie the game and one run in the fifth to gain the advantage, the Lady Wolverines exploded for three runs in the fifth to regain the lead and two runs in the sixth to add some insurance.

"We preach every day to finish," Berryhill said. "It's all about seven innigns and we don't quit. That's the motto. You don't quit. You keep battling, stay mentally focused and keep working."

East Webster started well in the first inning by scoring three runs with an RBI single by Kerrigan Clark and a two-run single by Madison Flemings.

The Lady Wolverines went scoreless on their home field for three innings as Vardaman took its 4-3 lead.

"We started off a little slow and made a few errors," Berryhill said. "The first inning we hit the ball pretty good, but after that (in the middle innings), we didn't. They put pressure on us and took a lead."

In the fifth inning, East Webster found its stroke again at the plate.

After Bailie Spriingfield and Jenna Pate had one single each to reach, Autumn Frost had a two-run double to put the Lady Wolverines on top 5-4. Clark singled to score Frost.

"We start hitting toward the end of the game and from there, we're good," said Frost, who was The Starkville Daily News Fast-pitch Player of the Year in the spring.

East Webster scored two more runs in the sixth inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Mamie Hollenhead and Bailey Williams.

The Lady Rams made a comeback attempt by loading the bases and after one out, a lightning strike sent both teams to the dugout. There was another lightning strike approximately five minutes later.

Following a meeting between the umpires and coaches, the game was called.

The Lady Wolverines had a 16-hit attack and was led by Frost with a double and two singles. Williams added three singles and Springfield, Pate and Clark had two singles each.

East Webster has improved its record to 3-0 and Berryhill has been satisified with the transition after serving as the Eupora baseball coach for 18 years.

"I made the move and it's a family move," Berryhill said. "My wife and daughter is over here. I had 18 good years at Eupora and family moved me here."